System and method for vertical farming

Abstract

A vertical farming system is disclosed herein. The vertical farming system can comprise a frame configured to fit into an enclosed growing environment. The vertical farming system can further comprise a track supported by the frame, where the track is configured to provide side access. The vertical farming system also includes an irrigation conduit coupled to the frame adjacent to the track. The vertical farming system includes a growth media field where the growth media field includes brackets coupled to a top portion of the growth media field. The growth media field can be made of porous material configured to form a root zone environment support and provide fluid distribution to root systems. The brackets can be configured to slidably couple to one or more tracks such that the growth media field is suspended from the one or more tracks.

1 . A vertical farming system configured to form a root zone environment, support and provide fluid distribution to root systems of crops via a multilayered growth media within an agricultural environment, the vertical farming system comprising:
 a multilayered growth media including a root system anchorage layer configured to support and provide fluid distribution to the root systems of crops, and a supporting layer fixed to an exterior surface of the root system anchorage layer, the supporting layer configured to act as a containment barrier for the root zone environment, fluid distribution within the root system anchorage layer and to promote a distribution of stress from the one or more track engaging brackets across the exterior surface of the root system anchorage layer.   
     
     
         2 . The vertical farming system of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting layer has a thickness between about 25.4 and about 4000 μm. 
     
     
         3 . The vertical farming system of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical farming system is configured to create a root zone environment between a top barrier formed from a bottom surface of the track, a side barrier formed from the multilayered growth media and a bottom barrier formed from a gutter. 
     
     
         4 . The vertical farming system of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting layer defines a plurality of perforations configured to enable a portion of a crop to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . The vertical farming system of  claim 4 , wherein the perforations include at least one arcuate edge configured to promote the containment of fluid distribution within the root system anchorage layer. 
     
     
         6 . The vertical field system of  claim 1 , wherein the multilayered growth media includes a plurality of apertures, the apertures being sized and shaped to support one or more plant site. 
     
     
         7 . The vertical farming system of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting layer defines a printable surface including one or more electrically conductive print paths. 
     
     
         8 . The vertical farming system of  claim 1 , wherein the root system anchorage layer has a thickness between about 0.2 and about 12 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The vertical farming system of  claim 1 , wherein the root system anchorage layer is constructed of a polymer bound material. 
     
     
         10 . The vertical field system of  claim 1 , wherein the growth media is divisible into a plurality of stacked layers, wherein the stacked layers are arranged such that a channel is formed from an intersection of the stacked layers such that plant growth can occur within the channel. 
     
     
         11 . The vertical farming system of  claim 1 , wherein the multilayered growth media is comprised of one or more growth media discrete sections. 
     
     
         12 . The vertical farming system of  claim 1 , wherein the multilayered growth media is suspended from a suspended track, such that a non-contacting gap is defined between the bottom edge of the growth media and a floor of the agricultural environment. 
     
     
         13 . The vertical farming system of  claim 13 , wherein the multilayered growth media is initially comprised as a roll of material configured to be unrolled into flexible multilayered growth media as it is suspended from the suspended track. 
     
     
         14 . The vertical field system of  claim 13 , wherein the multilayered growth media include brackets coupled to a portion of the multilayered growth media, the brackets further including strain gauges. 
     
     
         15 . The vertical farming system of  claim 13 , wherein the suspended track of the multilayered growth media is configured such that the multilayered growth media is selectively coupleable to the suspended track from a side position at any portion of the suspended track. 
     
     
         16 . The vertical farming system of  claim 13 , wherein the suspended track forms a top barrier of a root zone environment. 
     
     
         17 . The vertical farming system of  claim 17 , wherein the root zone environment is uninterrupted throughout the length of the growth media. 
     
     
         18 . The vertical farming system of  claim 1 , wherein the multilayered growth media defines a root zone environment barrier, wherein the support layer forms the exterior of the root zone environment, synthetic foam forms the root anchorage zone, and a polymer bound media forms an interior boundary. 
     
     
         19 . The vertical farming system of  claim 19 , the root zone environment is defined as a plurality of distinct root zones. 
     
     
         20 . A root zone environment configured for use with a vertical farming system, support and provide fluid distribution to root systems of crops via a suspended, multilayered growth media within an agricultural environment, the root zone environment comprising:
 a multilayered growth media including:
 a root system anchorage layer configured to support and provide fluid distribution to the root systems of crops, and 
 a supporting layer fixed to an exterior surface of the root system anchorage layer, the supporting layer configured to act as a containment barrier for the root zone environment, and fluid distribution within the root system anchorage layer; and 
 a top barrier coupled to a top edge of the multilayered growth media.